Selected as the New Stepmother (Completed Main Story) - Chapter 2
The child pulled out a neatly folded piece of paper from their arms and extended it to me. I tilted my head curiously and unfolded the paper.
My breath caught in my throat. Perhaps it was my imagination, but the child’s eyes suddenly looked sad.
“I want to find the person who wrote this letter.”
The child’s hands, carefully clasped together.
Straight back, chin lifted.
This child, clearly well-mannered—what story lies behind them?
“Maybe this isn’t something money can fix…”
I subtly observed the atmosphere. Judging by the mood, it was unquestionably a letter left by their mother.
I’ve received requests to find people before, but never one where the target’s identity was completely unknown.
If I only knew the letter existed but had no name or other details about the writer, this wouldn’t be within my capability.
“Do you know who wrote this letter?”
At least a name—or even just a description—would help.
“I’m sorry. I only know they left it while I was asleep.”
Ah. This is a request I must decline.
“I’m sorry, but with only this, I can’t identify who wrote it. It would take too much time and cost far too much for a young gentleman like you to afford.”
“I have a lot of money.”
The child beamed and pulled out a single pink diamond from their arms. The diamond, about the size of an adult man’s thumbnail, was so valuable I’d hesitate before buying it myself.
“Did you come here alone?”
The child nodded cheerfully.
This child is wandering the bustling streets alone, carrying a gem like this?
What on earth are their parents doing!
“Why? Is it not allowed to be alone?”
I pressed my throbbing forehead with my hand.
“At home, I have more gems like this. Or would you like to come with me to check?”
What should I do with this utterly reckless child?
Do they know who I am and plan to lead me straight to a house full of jewels?
I couldn’t just leave them. Even if I refused this request, I couldn’t let them go around showing off that gem elsewhere.
“Kid, as someone who’s lived far longer than you, let me give you some advice.”
The child looked at me curiously as my tone changed.
“Keep that gem safe and don’t lose it. Go straight home. And if you don’t want to die, don’t wander the streets asking for requests or anything like that.”
“Why would I die?”
Ah, a little noble boy with flowers in his head.
“There are plenty of people in this world who don’t think twice about taking a life for money. A child like you carrying such a valuable gem will be noticed—and killed instantly. If you’re unlucky, you won’t even die cleanly; you’ll be sold into slavery.”
“….”
Was the child finally understanding? Their face hardened. Then, cautiously, they spoke.
“Then… could you please hold onto this for me?”
“….I’m not an ‘a-jumma.'”
“Then what should I call you?”
“Call me ‘nuna.'”
“But you look much older than me.”
Wow, this kid’s hitting back with a smile.
“Anyway, if you take this, I’ll come back to get it later.”
“No. If you want to deposit it, go to a bank.”
“But you just told me not to carry it around.”
Why won’t you ever just agree?
“Could you come with me to the bank?”
“….”
“I’m still too young to open a bank account. Could you deposit it under your name for now?”
“….Kid.”
“Yes, a-jumma.”
“If you don’t call me ‘a-jumma,’ I’ll go with you.”
“Yes! Nuna!”
Look at this one—already sprouting yellow leaves of cunning.
[This is the timeline separator]I went to the bank with the unknown gentleman and deposited the pink diamond under the name Blackswan.
Then, slightly annoyed, I drafted a request form stating I would keep the deposit certificate myself.
“Why did such a headache come to me?”
I’m supposed to be going home, yet here I am, stuck doing this.
After refusing my offer to escort them home, and watching the child stubbornly insist on leaving alone, I returned to my office and tidied up the spot where the child had sat.
There, I noticed a small slip of paper still pristine on the cushion.
“What’s this?”
On the paper, only one word was written: “Passed.”
“Did they write this?”
The child, barely old enough for ink to dry on their birth registry, spoke with such precise formality—it felt strangely unsettling.
“I hope you’ll hurry and bring an adult to collect the gem, kid.”
Please, let’s not get entangled any further.
[This is the timeline separator]After returning home later than usual, I received a letter from a servant of the gambling den while Anna was preparing my bath.
“Haa….”
Inside was a horrifying message: my father, Viscount Dely, was playing his final game at the gambling den, and by the time I received this letter, all ten of his fingers would be gone.
“Miss, are you going?”
Anna, having finished preparing the bath, approached cautiously. I let out a long sigh.
“I have to. Before my only father loses all his fingers.”
Anna, holding back tears, said:
“The viscount always does this. You work so hard to earn money…”
“Yes. If he knew that, he wouldn’t waste it like this.”
Even empty words aren’t enough. The money he’s poured into gambling could buy two grand manors in the capital.
“How should I dress you? Like last time?”
“Yeah. Last time your makeup was too light. Today, lift the outer corners of your eyes higher and make them thicker.”
As Anna followed my command, my reflection appeared in the mirror.
My pink hair, rare even in the empire, matched the hue of the diamond.
But that was a description fitting only for childhood. Now, it was a color dulled by my father’s gambling debts and the weight of life.
“My hair, once the color of a pink diamond…”
The pink diamond the unknown child brought earlier flashed in my mind. It would make a truly exquisite piece of jewelry if cut properly.
Custom-made? That’s ancient history now. I’ve been buying ready-made pieces for years.
Enough lamenting. I need to go find my father.
[This is the timeline separator]Sharply upturned eye corners.
Hair pulled high and tight.
A riding habit I’d worn often, topped with a light cloak.
‘Good. Perfect.’
I checked my appearance once more before entering the gambling den. Whoever clung to my father like a leech—this time, I’d leave them with a terrifying impression.
‘I won’t let the Dely family’s honor be destroyed like this.’
I couldn’t drag my father out like baggage, so I brought a few Blackswan mercenaries. They gathered at the den as if accustomed to my requests—even though I hadn’t told them where to meet.
“Open.”
The doorman grinned broadly as he answered.
“Have a pleasant evening!”
I glared at him—he knew why I was here—and stepped inside with heavy steps.
Thick smoke from cigarettes and the stench of alcohol.
Women drenched in heavy perfume mingled with noble men, gambling at tables.
I’d never get used to this place.
“Where’s my father?”
I grabbed a waiter carrying drinks and asked. He recognized me as Viscountess Dely and gestured for me to follow.
I followed him to a room at the back of the den—a VIP area where one could only leave after declaring an all-in or forcing someone else to do so.
“Ah? Schmidt! My daughter!”
My father, reeking of alcohol, stared at me, barely able to hold himself upright.
The men seated beside and across from him nodded slightly, as if expecting me.
“So this is the Viscountess Dely everyone speaks so highly of.”
The most repulsive-looking man among them, stroking his beard, extended his hand to shake mine. Naturally, I merely gave a polite smirk and declined the handshake outright.
I had no interest in knowing men who rolled in the dirt with my father.
“Father, get up.”
I suppressed my rising irritation with superhuman effort and stood him up.
Of course, he couldn’t even hold his own weight.
I gave a subtle nod to the mercenaries beside me. They expertly slipped their arms under the viscount’s and lifted him.
“We apologize for the disturbance.”
I bowed slightly. I’d learned long ago that provoking unnecessary conflict only hurt me.
Just as I thought matters had settled smoothly—
“Wait.”
Someone called out to me. It was the man seated at the same table, gambling.
With pitch-black hair and a matching black mask, his golden eyes gleamed with interest.
“The viscount owes three fingers… but if you just leave now, whose fingers will be cut?”
I lifted my chin and crossed my arms.
“How much?”
“Three million Tidga.”
“….Let’s pay and go.”
I stopped a passing waiter and handed him three banknotes—each worth one million Tidga—the emergency cash I’d brought from the manor.
“Give this to that man.”
The waiter glanced at me, puzzled by the instruction, but carried it out without protest.
“Now, can we go?”
“I hope we meet again, Viscountess.”
I ignored his farewell and turned away.
‘I truly hate this place.’
I bit my lip as I watched my father being carried out by the mercenaries.
How much longer must I live like this?
Male lead is reincarnated to save his wife
I’ve also read this one twice already. The female lead is kinda soft and gets embarrassed easily—not really my type, but the plot is definitely worth reading. Hurry up and read it, y’all!
Intro
When Shen Yuan encountered Su Jin again in his previous life, she had already become the Prime Minister of the current dynasty. As for him, the former top young master of the capital, he had long since fallen into the abyss, becoming a singer on a pleasure boat.
After a song ended, he was redeemed and sent to the Su Residence.
Su Jin respected and cherished him, gave him a roof over his head, and bestowed him with warmth. Shen Yuan fell deeper and deeper, but before he could express his feelings, Su Jin passed away.
Shen Yuan died to follow her in death, but instead, he returned to when he was fifteen years old.
At that time, he was not yet engaged, and Su Jin was just a poor scholar.
Shen Yuan gritted his teeth, casting aside all his pride, and thought of ways to coax and entice her every day.
The colder and more indifferent Su Jin was towards him, the more proactive Shen Yuan became.
He was not afraid of being mocked by the world, only wanting to marry his Wife-master early, to hold her hand and never let go for a lifetime.
[Note: This story will not specifically point out the male lead’s reincarnation time point; it’s all in the details. Whenever you feel that the male lead is acting strangely, he has most likely been reincarnated.]
[Touch the gear icon in the bottom right corner of the screen to move to the next chapter if you want.]
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